ellipsis

noun

el·​lip·​sis i-ˈlip-səs 

e-

plural ellipses i-ˈlip-ˌsēz 

e-

1

a

: the omission of one or more words that are obviously understood but that must be supplied to make a construction grammatically complete

b

: a sudden leap from one topic to another

2

: marks or a mark (such as …) indicating an omission (as of words) or a pause

Examples of ellipsis in a Sentence

“Begin when ready” for “Begin when you are ready” is an example of ellipsis.

Recent Examples on the Web

The book also makes use of ellipses, alluding to forgetting or skipping periods of time. —Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026

Most endings these days opt for ellipses rather than periods. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026

Madeline Cash considers uses of ellipses. —Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025

Comets are basically big dirty snowballs that orbit the sun in long ellipses. —Rhett Allain, Wired News, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek elleipsis ellipsis, ellipse, from elleipein to leave out, fall short, from en in + leipein to leave — more at in, loan

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

ellipsis

noun

el·​lip·​sis i-ˈlip-səs 

e-

plural ellipses -ˈlip-ˌsēz 

1

: the leaving out of one or more words that are not necessary for a phrase to be understood

"begin when ready" for "begin when you are ready" is an example of ellipsis

2

: marks or a mark (as …) used to indicate that something (as words) has been left out